Belgian 3000 hydralics

Greetings all. We have a Belgian 3000 orchard model that has very sluggish hydraulics. If the arms lift at all the tractor has to be revving at high speed. Otherwise no lifting. We have the lift cover kit to replace the o rings and gaskets and are attempting to change the filters. Thee is a stainless steel half circular piece of metal around the bottom of the main shaft leading to the rear end of the tractor. Is this stock? I don't see it on any schematics. It is blocking access to the filters on the intake and return lines. The fluid in the rear end is very clean and the silicone on the top cover tells me others have been in there before.


Do I need to change any other parts while I am in there?


Also the transmission brake is a mass of rusty mud under the cover so we will need a rebuild kit for it. Any links to sources for parts?


Any advice is appreciated.

"Thee is a stainless steel half circular piece of metal around the bottom of the main shaft leading to the
rear end of the tractor."

I'm having a hard time deciphering this. Any pics?

The British and Belgian tractors do have
some extra baffles in the area around the
pinion shaft but I think those were more
related to the hand brake than the
hydraulics.
I was into one of those on a 4000 but
can't remember exactly now.
The filter on those should be the same as
a US built one.
You can take them out and wash in solvent
then blow them out good and get more
service out of them.
You do have to pull the lift cover to get
at it though.
As to the hand brake, my 4000 had that on
it. It was completely shot and the oil
seal was allowing a lot of water to get
into the rear end. It is a nice feature
but the parts to fix it were very
expensive when I looked maybe 6? years
ago.
I simply removed the entire unit and
covered the hole with a round plate from
an American 3000. Was simple to remove it.
If I were you I would pull the handbrake
off and start the tractor. Put a good load
in the 3 point and lift it. Then look
inside that hole. If the lift piston seals
are bad you will see a lot of leakage from
above.
Lift piston is easy to install if needed.
Thus site sells the kit - new lift piston,
seals and cover gasket. Cheap - $15-$20?
Service the filter while you have the
cover off.
No silicone. Silicone - especially around
hydraulics, is for morons.

P.S.
Welcome to the Ford board.
Those are very good tractors.

What do you do for brakes with the hand brake removed?

That would be an anti-aeration baffle, needed to keep the gears from churning the oil and allowing air into the hydraulic system. I've never had the pleasure of removing one myself, but I suspect that you'll need to remove the attaching bolts and it *might* rotate out of there. I'm also guessing it wont actually be that easy, and may require removing the handbrake first.

As for an alternative parking brake, see the link below, part numbers 52 and related items.
Park brake